The man who says he killed JonBenet Ramsey in December 1996 apparently made Internet postings courting children earlier that year.

“My name is John Karr and I am the father of three,” he posted in March 1996.

“I talk to kids worldwide about their problems or just offer my friendship to a young person who feels like the world has forgotten them,” he continued.

The posting, which is addressed to parents, concludes: “If I can help your kids or you in any way, please feel free to contact me.”

He signed it: Sincerely, John Karr.

In February 1996 – 10 months before JonBenet was murdered – Karr described his organization, PowerWurks, as a support “for kids, teens and college students …”

In that posting, Karr talked about loneliness and isolation, themes that child advocates say are common tactics predators use to ingratiate themselves with kids.

Glena Records, director of communications for the Polly Klaas Foundation, said that in 1996 the Internet was just beginning to emerge as a vehicle for pedophiles trying to strike up relationships with children.

In recent years, the Internet has become such a prolific stalking ground for predators that many major police departments have a unit dedicated to investigating such crimes, she said.

According to the Klaas Foundation, a nonprofit that works to protect children, one-third of kids between ages 13 and 18 have considered meeting in person someone they became acquainted with on the Internet.

Also, one in 10 has learned that someone he or she met on the Internet was lying about being a child or teenager, according to the foundation’s research.

Karr was arrested Wednesday in Thailand and had been charged with possessing child pornography in California in 2001.

He appears not to have posted anything to the Internet in 1996 that was overtly criminal or proposed meetings with children.

Rather, he tapped into typical adolescent angsts: loneliness, isolation and a desire for friendship.

“Loneliness is a lot of things. I believe that a large part of loneliness revolves around an empty heart that needs to be filled with love,” Karr wrote.

“If we all stick together, we can conquer anything,” and “love can breathe life into your lonely soul. That is what I do every day and I receive the same thing in return.”

He concludes by offering his website as a refuge.

“We provide a safe and private environment where you can freely and comfortably express your thoughts and feelings on any subject. No subject is banned from discussion.”

Indeed, that same month, Karr seemed to have initiated a lengthy discussion on the site about what the legal age of consent for sexual activity should be.

Most of the dozen or so messages came from people who identified themselves as teens or preteens.

That same year, Karr posted a message on a different website, saying he was entering college in hopes of becoming an elementary-school teacher.

“I love children and I hope to have an impact on the lives of every child I teach,” he said.

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